Record skilled migration expands Australian economy

Immigration Department Release

SUMMARY: A new edition of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ (now DIAC) annual publication Population Flows: Immigration Aspects shows the Australian Government’s 2005-06 Migration Programme had the highest skill stream intake on record. DIMA migration branch assistant secretary Greg Mills said today immigration had helped Australia expand its economy and raise living standards for all. ‘Last year, employer sponsored and state/territory government sponsored migration increased by 17 and 47 per cent respectively over 2004-05.’.


Media Release
Record skilled migration expands Australian economy

29 January 2007

A new edition of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ annual publication Population Flows: Immigration Aspects shows the Australian Government’s 2005-06 Migration Programme had the highest skill stream intake on record.

The 2007 edition of the book released today also shows that the nation’s migration programme last financial year included an increase of almost 9 per cent in the family stream.

Population Flows: Immigration Aspects includes chapters on:

* population growth and international movement
* Australia’s migration and humanitarian programmes
* state-specific and regional migration
* New Zealand movement
* temporary entry
* the economics of immigration
* citizenship settlement and cultural diversity
* migration flows to the states.

DIMA migration branch assistant secretary Greg Mills said today immigration had helped Australia expand its economy and raise living standards for all.

‘In 2005-06, the Migration Programme received 142 930 places, with more than 97 000 places in the skill stream,’ Mr Mills said.

‘The Government also increased the family stream places to 45 290 for 2005-06, an increase of 8.5 per cent over the previous year.’

Mr Mills said improving and fine-tuning immigration policy was an ongoing process.

‘Changes to the programme are designed to serve Australia’s interests and help meet the needs of states, regions and industry,’ he said.

‘Last year, employer sponsored and state/territory government sponsored migration increased by 17 and 47 per cent respectively over 2004-05.’
(Source: DIAC)